The Cat’s out of the Bag! Here’s What Your Mouth Is Saying

Normally, you approach your dental visit wondering if your dentist will notice any signs of tooth decay, or if you may have some gingivitis that will need to be handled. If it has been awhile since you have seen the dentist, you may have concerns that you might hear the dreaded words “root canal.” There are two important things to say here. One is that you have nothing to fear when you visit our office.

At New Smiles, we prioritize comfort and respectful care. You will not be lectured on how to take better care of your teeth, nor will you be put into a situation where you feel physically uncomfortable. We understand that dental care can be stressful, and we do all that we can to mitigate this aspect of your visits. The second thing to say is that what you imagine might be discovered during a dental exam is only the tip of the iceberg.

3 Things your Mouth may Divulge about you

You’re not an avid flosser. Flossing is an important part of the oral hygiene you perform every day. It is not possible to make up for lost time the night before your dental exam. Flossing right before your appointment may lead to aggressiveness that then alerts us to tiny “slices” in your gum tissue. The inflammation and redness that result from skipping the floss more often than not will reveal the need to revisit hygiene technique.

You are carrying a lot of stress. You may think your dentist would be the last person to notice you’ve been stressed, but there are specific indicators that may be noticed during your routine exam. Stress may lead to bruxism, or clenching the jaw. If you do this, or grind your teeth, we may notice excessive wear patterns. You may also experience symptoms such as soreness in your jaw or face that is related to clenching and its effects on the joints in the jaw.

You may be diabetic. People who are diabetic or pre-diabetic may develop “sweet breath” that is noticeable during a dental exam.

Schedule an appointment

There are advantages to finding health or lifestyle data during your dental exam. It helps us customize care to your needs! Schedule your checkup and cleaning at (503) 925-9595 today!